Cooling unit for refrigerating



April 10, 1934. BOOTH Re. 19,136

COOLING UNIT FOR REFRIGERATING SYSTEMS Original Filed July 17, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 10, 1934. M, F. BOOTH COOLING UNIT FOR REFRIGERATING SYSTEMS Original Filed July 17, 1929 2 Sheets-Shet 2 INTOR.

fl/arr/s F 3007 9- Reissuecl Apr. 10, 1934 PATENT OFFICE COOLING UNIT iron REFRIGERATING SYST EMS

Morris F. Booth, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Mullins Manufacturing Corporation, Salem, Ohio, a corporation of New York Original No. 1,893,321, dated January 3, 1933,

Serial No. 378,843, July 17, 1929,

Application for reissue November 4, 1933, Serial No. 696,732

18 Claims. (Cl. 62-126) This invention relates to cooling unitsfor refrigerating systems, and has to do particularly with an extremely efficient and simple cooling unit and novel method of fabricating the same.

The present invention is particularly adapted to refrigerating systems having low sides of the flooded type, and heretofore the fabrication of such lowsides has entailed considerable expense both because of the steps in the fabrication thereof and the material itself. This has been particularly true in the fabrication of lowsides having a float chamber or header and a plurality of depending copper tubes.

The object of. the present invention is to provide a flooded type lowside having a header or float chamber and depending walls formed as an integral part'of the header forming a thin passageway for the refrigerant, the walls and the passageway forming and defining a plurality of sharp freezing chambers surrounded on four or five sides by a thin layer of refrigerant.

Avfurther feature of this invention resides in the method of fabricating a substantially complete lowside, having a float chamber and sharp freezing chambers, from a single sheet of thin metal. In this case, substantially the entire unit is formed from a single sheet of thin gage metal folded so as to form both a float chamber and the walls of the sharp freezing chambers.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the method of reinforcing and spacing, the thin metal walls of the sharp freezing chambers whereby to form a relatively thin passageway for the refrigerant, and at the same time enable the unit to be made of very thin gage metal which will withstand a'relatively large amount of pressure.

Other features reside in the general and various details of construction of the unit as a whole, and also in the arrangement of sharp freezing chambers as will be more clearly brought out in the specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a simple flooded type cooling unit constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and illustrating the preferred manner of closing in the back of the unit so as to provide a back wall of refrigerant.

Fig. 3 'is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, illustrating the manner of forming the unit from one piece of sheet metal.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 1, and illustrating particularly .the manner of securing the sheet metal walls together and also the manner of reinforcing the walls.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front view showing the manner of applying the standard valve header to the float chamber.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of cooling unit fabricated to form a plurality of sharp freezing chambers.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 illustrates a slightly modified method of arranging and fabricating the sheet metal so as to form one large and two small sharp freezing chambers.

Fig. 9 is a sectional viewtaken on line 9--9 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of a modified method of arranging the sheet metal so as to form continuous walls.

Fig. 11 is a front elevation illustrating a modified method of positioning two inner shells withof sheet metal. I

In fabricating a simple cooling unit such as that shown in Fig. 1, I preferably take a rectangular piece of sheet metal of approximately twice the length of the lowside and a width equal to the annular distance around the lowside including the half circumference of the float chamber. This sheet of metal is then folded upon itself so the line of fold is at the point indicated as at 1 and the two edges meet at the point 2. The float chamber vis preferably formed integrally from the sheet metal, as indicated as at 3, and each half of the folded sheet may be deformed to .provide the matched semi-cylindrical portions either before or after the sheet is folded upon itself.

'Ihe'sheet metal going to form the unit is preferably provided with a series of corrugations or ridges 4 which extend laterally from the float chamber, and the purpose of these corrugations is not only to reinforce the entire unit but to proalso welded or otherwise secured together, and in case the front portion of the unit adjacent the float chamber is cutaway, the edges 6 are also welded or otherwise sealed together.

Some of the walls formed by the folded halves of sheet metal are preferably formed with a series of apertures '7 and after the sheet metal parts are folded into proper form, the adjacent walls formedby such folding process may be integrally secured together by a welding step wherein the apertures are filled with the welding material and thus positively securing one wall to the other. This is best shown as at 8 in Fig. 4. These apertures are preferably formed in the outer of the ,two walls forming the unit, but it will be obvious that they may be formed either inside or outside or a combination of the two. It will also be understood that the two walls may be brazed together such as by stamping out suitable portions in the sheet metal wall and positioning a sheet of brazing material between the walls adjacent such stamped out portions. The point here is that the two walls of relatively thin metal are rigidly secured together at spaced points throughout the adjacent surfaces whereby to counteract any expanding action that may be caused by pressure within the unit. It will be understood here that in normal operation very little pressure will be set up in the lowside but that occasionally there might be some danger of the refrigerating system becoming approximately balanced in which case a rather high relative pressure would develop within the cooling unit.

It will be understood that the corrugations 4 may be of any desiredshape whereby to enlarge or restrict the passageway for conducting the refrigerant from. the float chamber. In practical fabrication of the unit the piece of sheet metal may be folded upon itself so that the two pieces of folded metal will be practically in contact and after the folded sheets of metal have been welded together as explained, the subsequent pressure in the lowside will be sufficient to slightly open up the space between the sheets sufiicient'to permit'a thin film of refrigerant to beretained therebetween. It will thus be obvious that a; very thin film of refrigerant will be distributed through every wall of each sharp freezing chamberwhich will permit of a very quick and efficient freezing with a minimum amount of refrigerant.

The length of the float chamber 3 may be varied as desired, and when once fabricated as to the correct length a suitable header unit with control valves may be welded or otherwise secured thereto as indicated at 9 in Fig. 5. The rear of the unit may, if desired, be provided with a film of liquid the same as the side walls, and as shown in Fig.2, the irmer end walls may be slightly cut away to receive an inner back wall 10 which may be welded thereto as at 11 and the outer end walls of the folded sheet may be provided with a second plate 12 which may be suitably welded to the periphery of the outer folded wall.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a. modified method of forming the cooling unit wherein four separate sharp freezing chambers are provided and wherein each chamber is completely surrounded on all four sides by a film of refrigerant. In this case the unit is-still formed of one piece ofsheet metal but the outer edges 13, 14 and 15 are the only edges which are folded while the other adjacent edges 16 must be welded together at the front,

and at the back in case there is no film of refrig- I top, and bottom will be subjected to a rapid cooling effect.

In Fig. 8 I have illustrated another modified method of fabricating the cooling unit from a single sheet of metal and in Fig. 10 I have diagrammatically illustrated the method of forming a cooling unit wherein both walls of a. folded single sheet of sheet metal will be so formed as to provide a continuous passageway as at 17 between the float chamber 18 and a suitable receiver l9.

In Fig. 11 I have shown still another modified form of unit wherein the sharp freezing chambers may be formed by a plurality of separate -shells 20 and 21. These shells may be secured to the front of the unit as by welding or may be attached to the outer side walls as previously explained, the main point being that-a thin film of refrigerant completely surrounds each sharp freezing chamber. v i I It will thusbe' seen that I have provided a cooling unit which represents substantially the minimum possible costboth as to material and method of fabrication. In addition, this cooling unit takes up a relatively small space, requires a verysmall amount of refrigerant, and so positions the refrigerant in a thin film as to provide a very quick freezing in each individual sharp freezing chamber, while at the same time not affecting the general temperature in the food chambers. In other words, the sharp freezing is localized to the sharp freezing chambers themselves.

What I claim is:

1. A cooling unit of the flooded type comprising a' header chamber and a plurality of sharp freezing chambers formed substantially from one sheet of metal, the walls of the header chamber consisting of a single thickness and each wall of the sharp. freezing chambers being formed of a double thickness of sheet metal to'provide a thin wall of refrigerant on top, bottom, and each side of each sharp freezing chamber.

2. A cooling unit of the flooded type comprising a header chamber and a plurality of sharp freezing chambers formed substantially from one sheet of metal, the walls of the header chamber consisting of a single thickness'and each wall of the sharp freezing chambers being formed of a double thickness of sheet metal to provide a thin wall of refrigerant on top, bottom, and. each side theheader chamber to sharp freezing chamber or chambers togetherrat predetermined points adjacent said opening from the header chamberr 4. A sheet metal lowside of the flooded type comprising a header chamber and a plurality of vertically spaced sharp freezing chambers for independently receiving sharp freezing containers, all the walls of the sharp freezing chambers being hollow, the walls of the header chamber being of a single thickness and formed by*con- 20 tinuing the samesheet metal used to form: the

side walls of the sharp freezing. chambers; the

hollow wall forming the bottom of one of the vertically spaced sharp freezing chambers. being in direct communication with the liquid in. the header by means of conduits independent of the outer walls of the sharp freezing chambers.

5. A sheet metal cooling unit of the, flooded type comprising a substantially cylindrical header chamber and a plurality of sharp freezing chambers, the side walls of the sharp freezing chambers being secured together at spaced points but otherwise being hollow, the metal of the side walls being continued to form the header walls, and a hollow refrigerated shelf separating the sharp freezing chambers and being in direct communication with the liquidfin the header, independently of the outer walls of the sharp freezing chambers.

6. A sheet metal evaporator formed from a single sheet of metal comprising an outer onepiece shell having a centrally positioned substantially half cylindrical portion and laterally extending side walls bent to form a sharp freezing chamber or chambers, an inner one-piece shell having an oppositely formed substantially half cylindrical portion and laterally extending walls cooperating with the side walls of the outer shell, said two arcuate portions registering complementally to form a substantially cylindrical header, the side walls being secured together at their ends and at a plurality of welded points intermediate the ends, saidwelded points being such as to permit a thin film of refrigerant between the cooperating walls, said refrigerant being allowed to circulate in any direction within the walls, one of the laterally extending walls being embossed to reinforce the walls of the sharp freezing chamber or chambers adjacent the header. f v

'7. A sheet metal evaporator comprising an outer one-piece shell having a centrally positioned substantially half cylindrical. portion and laterally extending sidewalls bent to form a sharp freezing chamber or chambers, an inner one-piece shell having an oppositely formed substantially half cylindrical portion and laterally extending walls cooperating with the side walls of the outer shell, said two arcuate portions registering complementally to form a cylindrical header, the side walls being secured together at their ends and at a plurality of welded points intermediate the ends, said welded points being such as to permit a thin film of refrigerant be-. tween the cooperating walls, said refrigerant being allowed to circulate in any direction within embossed to reinforcertheewalls :ofthes. sharp freezing chamber on chambers: adjacent the header, .said reinfqrcingernbossed I portions proenlarged 'openingsfor receiving, liquid refrigerant' from the header:v

8. -A sheet metalevaporator;- formed. from a the walls, one of the laterally extending walls besingle= .ofimetal comprising a cylindrical header; said header: beingformedi of two half cylindrical portions contacting: at, their edges, walls: of double thickness shaped to provide a sharp: freezing; chamber. or chambers, certain sidewalls. of the sharp freezing chamber or chambers being continued to form' the halficylindrical portions of therheadensaid' side walls-being sufficiently spacedzapart and in direct communication with the liquid in the. header to maintain a thin. film of refrigerant in all of said walls of.

.double thickness, said side walls. being secured.

together. at; their ends and% welded. together at points intermediate the ends;. said? thin film of refrigerant being continuous: except; for said.

thickness, said side walls being secured together at their ends and welded together at points intermediate the ends, said thin filin of refrigerant being continuous except for said welded points, and a plurality of embossed portions in said walls of double thickness which .are closely adjacent the substantially cylindrical header for reinforcingthe walls of the evaporator at the points where they merge into the walls of the header.

10. A sheet metal evaporator comprising a substantially cylindrical header, said header being formed of two substantially half cylindrical portions contacting at their edges, walls of double thickness shaped to provide a sharp freezing chamber or chambers, certain side walls of the sharp freezing chamber or chambers being continued to form the substantially half cylindrical portions of the header, said side walls being sufficiently spaced apart and in direct communication with the liquid in the header to maintain a thin film of refrigerant in all of said Walls of double thickness, said side walls being secured together at the'r ends and welded together at points intermediate the ends, said thin film of refrigerant being continuous except for said:

welded'points, and a plurality of embossed portions in said walls of double thickness which are closely adjacent the I substantially cylindrical header for reinforcing the walls of the evaporator.

chamber or chambers to form large passageways for the refrigerant, in addition ing action.

11. A sheet metal evaporator comprising a header formed of two substantially contacting substantially half cylindrical portions, the walls of said oppositely positioned substantially half cylindrical portions-being bent to extend latervto their reinforcally, downwardly and inwardly to format least three walls of a sharp freezing chamber or cham bers the walls of the. sharp freezing chamber or chambers being of double thickness and being secured together and reinforced at points extending parallel to and closely adjacent the header and alsoclo'selyadjacent the line of substantial Contact between the header halves,'an edge of some of the double walls being formed by folding a single sheet of 'metal.

12. A sheet metal evaporator of the flooded type having a header chamber and laterally extending walls forming a sharp freezing chamber or chambers, comprising an outer one-piece shell having an arcuate portion forming the greater part of said header and laterally extending walls bent to form one or more sharp freezing chambers, an inner one-piece shell cooperating with the laterally extending walls and arcuate portion of the .outer shell to form one or more sharp freezing chambers, the outer shell being provided type having a header chamber and laterally extending walls forming a sharp freezing chamber or chambers, comprising a one-piece shell having an arcuate portion forming the greater part of said header and a laterally extending wall bent to define a portion of one or more sharp freezing chambers, a second one-piece shell cooperating with the laterally extending wall and arcuate portion of the first named shell to form one or more sharp freezing chambers, one of said shells being provided with embossed portions extending trans versely from the header to form passageways around the chamber or chambers for the refrigerant and to permit welding together of the shells,

and reinforcing embossed portions formed in said said shells being provided with oppositely positioned portions to form a header, walls formed by each shell extending laterally from the header portion thereof, said walls cooperating. to form top and side walls of a sharp freezing chamber,

the outer shell being provided with corrugations extending laterally from said header portion to form passageways and to permit welding of the shells together, the top wall of the inner shell being provided with reinforcing embossed portions extending transversely of the axis of the header. I v

15. A sheet metal, evaporator of the flooded type having a header chamber and laterally extending walls forming a sharp freezing chamber or chambers, comprising. a one-piece shell having an arcuate portion forming the greater part of said header and a later-ally extending wall bent to define a portion of one or more sharp freezing frigerant and to permit welding together of the.

shells, and reinforcing embossed portions formed in said second shell and positioned directly adjacent and opposite the arcuate portion formed by said first named shell.

16. A sheet metal evaporator comprising a header formed of two substantially contacting substantially half cylindrical portions, the walls of said oppositely positioned substantially half cylindrical portions being bent to extend laterally, downwardly and inwardly to form top, side and bottom portions of a sharp freezing chamber or chambers, the walls of the sharp freezing chamber or chambers being of double thickness. and being secured together and reinforced at points extending parallel to and closely adjacent the header and also closely adjacent the line of substantial contact between the header halves, the front edge of some of the double walls being formed by folding a single sheet of metal.

17. A sheet metal evaporator of the flooded type having a header chamber and laterally extending walls forming a sharp freezing chamber or chambers, comprising an outer one-piece shell having an arcuate portion forming the greater part of said header and laterally extending walls bent to form one; or more sharp freezing chambers, an inner one-piece shell cooperating with the laterally extending walls and arcuate portion of the outer shell to form one or more sharp freezing chambers, the outer shell being provided with embossed portions extending transversely from the header to form passageways for the refrigerant and to .permit welding together of theshells, and reinforcing embossed portions formed in' said inner shell and positioned opposite and extending transversely of the axis of the arcuate header formed by the outer shell.

18. A sheet metal evaporator comprising an outer one piece shell and an inner one piece shell,

both formed from a single sheet of metal, said sheet of metal being folded upon itself on substantially a center transverse line to forfn said shells, certain portions of the folded walls ofsaid sheet being prefabricated and cooperating to form a refrigerant chamber extending transversely of the line of fold of said single sheet, said shells extending transversely, embossed portions formed in at least one of said shells and said shells being welded together in between said embossed portions and being folded to define one or more sharp freezing chambers, said embossed portions. forming enlarged passageways for conducting refrigerant around the walls of said sharp freezing chamber or chambers, the edge of the shells opposite the foldedover edge being welded together, the portionsof the single sheet folded over to form an edge of said sharp freezing chamber or chambers being spaced apart adjacent said folded over edge to receive refrigerant therein. c MORRIS F. BOOTH. 

